A letter from the Rev. Fred Barber, President of the Standing Committee, introducing provisional bishop-elect for the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth

All Saints Day, 2009   

Fellow Members of the Diocese of Fort Worth,

The Standing Committee will recommend to the 27th Convention of the Diocese of Fort Worth that it elect the Rt. Rev. Wallis Ohl as the second provisional bishop of the Diocese of Fort Worth.

Bishop Ohl retired January 1, 2009 after serving ten years as the bishop of Northwest Texas. Before being elected to the episcopacy he was rector of parishes in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Norman, Oklahoma. While serving as bishop of Northwest Texas he faced churches in his diocese that attempted to leave the Episcopal Church, and he was vigorous in both legal and pastoral steps to keep both the congregation and the property in the Episcopal Church.

Bishop Ohl, if elected by the convention, will assume the office of provisional bishop shortly after the November convention. He has agreed to serve for a period of one year, but will be available for at least an additional year of service as the Diocese of Fort Worth works out its future. As provisional bishop, he will exercise the same authority as a normally elected bishop.

After consideration of several other candidates, and after study, prayer, and consultation with the presiding bishop’s office, it was the opinion of the Standing Committee that Bishop Ohl would best serve the needs of the diocese at this time. It was also the opinion of the committee that this was God’s choice for our diocese. However, the final decision rests with the Diocesan Convention, meeting on November 13 and 14.

Bishop Ohl will maintain an office and residence in Fort Worth, and will spend about two weeks with us each month. He will also maintain his retirement home in Oklahoma.

The Standing Committee believes that the leadership of Bishop Ohl will be a blessing to the Diocese of Fort Worth.

On this All Saints Day, Bishop Ohl is celebrating the Holy Eucharist at All Saints Church in Fort Worth. Our bishop candidate is among us. Please keep him in your prayers.

Sincerely,

James Fred Barber
President, The Standing Committee
Diocese of Fort Worth